Whether you’re a large organization or an individual entering the environmental workforce, IEE is your complete training resource.
With more than two decades of experience, IEE trains over 5,000 students per year for our clientel including governmental agencies, hospitals, schools, branches of the armed services, businesses and non-profit groups.

The Asbestos industry is highly regulated and broken down into specific disciplines and with varying requirements. Regulatory agencies in this industry include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), plus specific state agencies. IEE&s knowledgeable staff can help you navigate through the many asbestos disciplines and the roles and responsibilities of each.

EPA

The EPA regulates asbestos in schools grades K-12 under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), and in building renovation and demolition under the National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP). Training for asbestos professionals is required under the Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan (MAP) which EPA issued under the AHERA. The MAP requires the use of trained and accredited asbestos professionals when conducting asbestos inspections or designing or conducting response actions at schools and public and commercial buildings. It provides guidance to states on the minimum training requirements for accrediting asbestos professionals. State training programs must be at least as stringent as the MAP. The MAP established five required and one recommended training disciplines:

Workers carry out asbestos abatement work. Asbestos workers must have access to accredited supervisors throughout the duration of the project.

Contractor/supervisors carry out and oversee asbestos abatement work. Asbestos abatement supervisors include those persons who provide supervision and direction to workers performing response actions. Supervisors may include those individuals with the position title of foreman, working foreman, or leadman pursuant to collective bargaining agreements. At least one supervisor is required to be at the worksite at all times while response actions are being conducted.

Inspectors identify and assess the condition of ACBM, or suspect ACBM. All persons who inspect for ACBM in schools or public and commercial buildings must be accredited.

Management planners use data gathered by inspectors to assess the degree of hazard posed by ACBM in schools to determine the scope and timing of appropriate response actions needed for schools. All persons who prepare management plans for schools must be accredited. AHERA does not require accreditation for persons performing the management planner role in public and commercial buildings. Nevertheless, such persons may find this training and accreditation helpful in preparing them to design or administer asbestos operations and maintenance programs for public and commercial buildings.

Project designers determine how asbestos abatement work should be conducted. A person must be accredited as a project designer to design asbestos abatement activities with respect to friable ACBM in a school or public and commercial building.

Project monitors (recommended) observe abatement activities performed by contractors and generally serve as a building owner's representative to ensure that abatement work is completed according to specification and in compliance with all relevant statutes and regulations. They may also perform the vital role of air monitoring for purposes of determining final clearance.

In addition to this initial training, asbestos professionals must take annual refresher training.

AHERA requires training for specific persons who work in schools.

• Asbestos Awareness: All school maintenance and custodial staff (custodians, electricians, heating/air conditioning engineers, plumbers, etc.) who may work in a building that contains ACBM must receive awareness training of at least 2 hours, whether or not they are required to work with ACBM. New custodial and maintenance employees shall be trained within 60 days after commencement of employment. 40 CFR §763.92

• Asbestos Operations and Maintenance: All school maintenance and custodial staff who conduct any activities that will result in the disturbance of ACBM shall receive training 16 hours training. 40 CFR §763.92

• LEA Designate Person: Schools (Local Education Agency) must designate a person to ensure that requirements under this section are properly implemented. This person is referred to as an LEA Designated Person. The School must ensure that the designated person receives adequate training to perform duties assigned under AHERA.

Lead Paint is another area where multiple regulatory agencies have different requirements which is difficult to circumvent the maze of rules and regulations. In general there are three areas of regulatory oversight for involving lead and lead-based paint:

1. Lead Renovation (RRP) or Lead Safe Renovation (LSR), and

2. Lead Abatement/Deleading,

3. OSHA compliance.

Lead Renovation Repair & Painting, or Lead Safe Renovation Work

The US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP Rule) requires that firms performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities and pre-schools built before 1978 have their firm certified by EPA (or an EPA authorized state), use certified renovators who are trained by EPA-approved training providers and follow lead-safe work practices. Firms become EPA certified by filling out an application, paying a $300 application fee and mailing it into the EPA. You can also apply online at http://www2.epa.gov/lead/epa-lead-safe-certification-program. You must be EPA certified to perform renovation projects in states that do not have their own EPA Authorized State Program. In New England, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont do not have their own programs, and you must be an EPA certified firm to work in these states.

In July 2010, Massachusetts DLS took over the EPA enforcement of this regulation. DLS requires firms become licensed as a Lead-Safe Renovator Contractor (Apply at http://www.mass.gov/lwd/labor-standards/lead-program/). Renovation, repair and painting work conducted for a fee in Target Housing and Child-Occupied Facilities where more than 6 sq. ft. of painted surface per room is disturbed on the interior of a building, or more than 20 sq. ft. of painted surface on the exterior of a building, must be carried out by Lead-Safe Renovation (LSR) Contractors licensed pursuant to 454 CMR 22.00. Licensed LSR Contractors must have a trained and Certified LSR Supervisor on their staff. Under MA regulations, a LSR Supervisor is required to be on site at all times while Renovation Work is in progress. LSR Supervisors carry their own training certificates with picture ID. Deleading Contractors are also authorized to perform Renovation Work if a Licensed Deleader Supervisor who has received his/her initial or refresher training after 7/9/10, or a LSR Supervisor is on site at all times while Renovation Work is in progress

Lead Abatement/Deleading

IEE is approved in Massachusetts and New Hampshire to provide training to workers, supervisors and contractors who remediate lead paint hazards for the purpose of achieving compliance with the MA lead law and NH regulations. Achieving compliance requires a lead paint inspection to be performed prior to performing lead hazard reduction work.

The Massachusetts Lead Law requires the removal or covering of lead paint hazards in homes built before 1978 where any children under six live. Lead paint hazards include loose lead paint and lead paint on windows and other surfaces accessible to children. Owners are responsible with complying with the law. This includes owners of rental property as well as owners living in their own single family home. The owner must first hire a licensed lead inspector who will test the home for lead and record all lead hazards. Performing the work to remove of cover lead hazards is called &Deleading& and must be performed by persons licensed or authorized. After the work is approved, the owner will receive a Letter of Full Compliance.

The New Hampshire statute requires persons be licensed to perform Lead Abatement work, which is the permanent elimination of lead-based paint hazards. IEE is approved by NH to conduct Worker, Supervisor and Contractor Lead Abatement courses. IEE is not approved to teach the Lead Inspector/Risk Assessor in NH, but NH will license you based upon reciprocity if you are licensed in Massachusetts.

COURSE

ApprovedAccepted

Description

Prerequisites

Deleading Worker or Lead Abatement Worker

MA DLSNH HHLPP

For employees who work for a Lead Abatement Contractor

None

Deleading or Lead Abatement Supervisor/Contractor

MA DLSNH HHLPP

For those who want to either Supervise Deleading work, or become a Contractor to perform Deleading projects

See NH Regulation for education and experience requirements

Lead Inspector/Risk Assessor

MA CLPPP

For those who want to perform inspections of residential property

Lead Occupational Medical, Pass CLPPP exam, Complete Apprenticeship

Owner/Agent for Moderate Risk Deleading

MA CLPPP

For residential property owners or their agents to perform moderate and low-risk deleading

None

4-hour add-on for Moderate Risk Deleading

MA DLS

For contractors who want to add moderate and low-risk deleading to their RRP projects

Mold – Currently there are no Federal regulations for the investigation or remediation of mold in buildings. However, there are several States that have State regulations for mold (MA does not) and there is an ANSI/IICRC standard for mold remediation. EPA, OSHA, CDC and New York State have all published guidance documents on mold remediation.

Mold Remediators - carry out mold abatement work.

Mold Investigators - identify moisture and mold growth problems and conduct bulk and air sampling. They also perform the final air sampling to show all mold problems have been rectified.
Other Available Environmental Courses Not on Our Schedule:

In July 2011, Mass’ Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) announced Continuing Education requirements for licensed construction supervisors, with required topics (Workplace Safety, Lead-Safe Practices, Code Review, Energy and Business Practices). With IEE’s background training the Construction Supervisor License (CSL) exam prep course, it was apparent IEE should be at the forefront in offering both the required and elective Massachusetts Continuing Ed classes to satisfy MA CSL license renewal credit requirements. At the present time, IEE offers a wide selection of Mass CSL CE courses and is committed to meeting the CSL license-holders needs by offering day, evening, weekend, and online CSL CEU classes as demand warrants.

IEE has the most variety in approved classes for Continuing Education Credits for the Massachusetts CSL Construction Supervisor License. Our courses have been approved by the Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards for 6, 10, or 12 hours of CSL continuing education. All Construction Supervisor License holders are required to complete the appropriate number of continuing education credits each two year renewal cycle. IEE is offering a two day (6 hrs each day) course allowing you to complete ALL 12 of your required CSL CE hrs.

CSL Renewal Forms are specific to each Licensee - If you have not received your renewal form please contact: Kimberly Spencer (Dept of Public Safety) email: kimberly.spencer@state.ma.us or call: 617-826-5236

In the late 1990’s, our primary client-base of Massachusetts and New Hampshire contractors and consultants, Boston-area hospitals, and New England towns and schools, urged IEE to begin offering various OSHA training courses including Lead in Construction, Fall Protection training classes, Hazwoper, Confined Space training classes, Respiratory Protection and later, OSHA 10 hr and OSHA 30 hr Construction and General Industry training classes.

OSHA Outreach Training

The OSHA Outreach Training Program provides training for workers and employers on the recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of safety and health hazards in workplaces. The program also provides information regarding workers' rights, employer responsibilities, and how to file a complaint. This is a voluntary program and does not meet training requirements for any OSHA standards.

Through this program, workers can attend 10-hour or 30-hour classes delivered by OSHA-authorized trainers at IEE. The 10-hour class is intended for entry level workers, while the 30-hour class is more appropriate for workers with some safety responsibility. Through this training, OSHA helps to ensure that workers are more knowledgeable about workplace hazards and their rights, and contribute to our nation's productivity. IEE Instructors are certified to provide Construction and General Industry OSHA Outreach Training courses in English and Spanish.

Health and Safety Training

In March 2012, OSHA announced the revision of its Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to align with the Globally Harmonization Standard (GHS update). OSHA is requiring that all US employees are trained on the new label elements and SDS format by December 1, 2013. As always, IEE is at the forefront for being prepared to offer you the GHS training.

1. Adult First Aid and CPR with AED

2. Confined Space Entry

3. Confined Space Entry; Spanish

4. Fall Protection

5. Globally Harmonized System (GHS)

6. Respiratory Protection Awareness

7. Spanish: Globally Harmonized System (GHS)

Fall Protection

The employer shall provide a training program for each employee who might be exposed to fall hazards. The program shall enable each employee to recognize the hazards of falling and shall train each employee in the procedures to be followed in order to minimize these hazards.

The employer shall ensure that each employee has been trained, as necessary, by a competent person qualified in the following areas:

(i)

The nature of fall hazards in the work area;

(ii)

The correct procedures for erecting, maintaining, disassembling, and inspecting the fall protection systems to be used;

(iii)

The use and operation of guardrail systems, personal fall arrest systems, safety net systems, warning line systems, safety monitoring systems, controlled access zones, and other protection to be used;

(iv)

The role of each employee in the safety monitoring system when this system is used;

(v)

The limitations on the use of mechanical equipment during the performance of roofing work on low-slope roofs;

(vi)

The correct procedures for the handling and storage of equipment and materials and the erection of overhead protection; and

(vii)

The standards contained in subpart M.

Confined Spaces

The employer shall provide training so that all employees whose work is regulated by the Permit Required Confined Spaces section acquire the understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary for the safe performance of the duties assigned under this section.

Training shall be provided to each affected employee:

(i)

Before the employee is first assigned duties under this section;

(ii)

Before there is a change in assigned duties;

(iii)

Whenever there is a change in permit space operations that presents a hazard about which an employee has not previously been trained;

(iv)

Whenever the employer has reason to believe either that there are deviations from the permit space entry procedures required by paragraph (d)(3) of this section or that there are inadequacies in the employees' knowledge or use of these procedures.

The training shall establish employee proficiency in the duties required by this section and shall introduce new or revised procedures, as necessary, for compliance with this section.

The employer shall certify that the training required by this section has been accomplished. The certification shall contain each employee's name, the signatures or initials of the trainers, and the dates of training. The certification shall be available for inspection by employees and their authorized representatives.

First Aid and CPR Training

OSHA regulation under Medical Services and First-aid 1926.50(c) states, & In the absence of an infirmary, clinic, hospital, or physician that is reasonably accessible in terms of time and distance to the worksite which is available for the treatment of injured employees, a person who has a valid certificate in first-aid training from the U.S. Bureau of Mines, the American Red Cross, or equivalent training that can be verified by documentary evidence, shall be available at the worksite to render first-aid.&

IEE provides National Safety Council training in First Aid and CPR with AED that is recognized as equivalent training by OSHA.

Globally Harmonized System (GHS) or Hazard Communication

OSHA revised its Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to align with the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) and published it in the Federal Register in March 2012 (77 FR 17574). Two significant changes contained in the revised standard require the use of new labeling elements and a standardized format for Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), formerly known as, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs). The new label elements and SDS requirements will improve worker understanding of the hazards associated with the chemicals in their workplace. To help companies comply with the revised standard, OSHA is phasing in the specific requirements over several years (December 1, 2013 to June 1, 2016).

The first compliance date of the revised HCS is December 1, 2013. By that time employers must have trained their workers on the new label elements and the SDS format. This training is needed early in the transition process since workers are already beginning to see the new labels and SDSs on the chemicals in their workplace. To ensure employees have the information they need to better protect themselves from chemical hazards in the workplace during the transition period, it is critical that employees understand the new label and SDS formats.

The list below contains the minimum required topics for the training that must be completed by December 1, 2013.

1) Training on label elements must include information on:

a) Type of information the employee would expect to see on the new labels, including the:

i)

Product identifier: how the hazardous chemical is identified.

ii)

Signal word: used to indicate the relative level of severity of hazard and alert the reader to a potential hazard on the label.

iii)

Pictogram: OSHA’s required pictograms must be in the shape of a square set at a point and include a black hazard symbol on a white background with a red frame sufficiently wide enough to be clearly visible.

iv)

Hazard statement(s): describe the nature of the hazard(s) of a chemical, including, where appropriate, the degree of hazard.

v)

Precautionary statement(s): means a phrase that describes recommended measures that should be taken to minimize or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposure to a hazardous chemical or improper storage or handling.

vi)

Name, address and phone number of the chemical manufacturer, distributor, or importer

b) How an employee might use the labels in the workplace. For example,

i)

Explain how information on the label can be used to ensure proper storage of hazardous chemicals.

ii)

Explain how the information on the label might be used to quickly locate information on first aid when needed by employees or emergency personnel.

c( General understanding of how the elements work together on a label. For example,

i)

Explain that where a chemical has multiple hazards, different pictograms are used to identify the various hazards. The employee should expect to see the appropriate pictogram for the corresponding hazard class.

ii)

Explain that when there are similar precautionary statements, the one providing the most protective information will be included on the label.

2) Training on the format of the SDS must include information on:

a) Standardized 16-section format, including the type of information found in the various sections

i)

For example, the employee should be instructed that with the new format, Section 8 (Exposure Controls/Personal Protection) will always contain information about exposure limits, engineering controls and ways to protect yourself, including personal protective equipment.

b) How the information on the label is related to the SDS

i)

For example, explain that the precautionary statements would be the same on the label and on the SDS.

Other Health & Safety Training Courses

1) Respiratory Protection

2) Lead in Construction: See Mass Lead Based Paint Training

3) Asbestos in Construction: See Asbestos Class 2 Training

Our Facility or Yours

Your Facility...Training can be provided on-site at your company's desired facility. Over the course of its history, the Institute has conducted thousands of training classes on-site and currently over 35% of IEE& training is done at our client&s locations.
Many organizations choose IEE for on-site training because of our ability to customize our courses to meet their unique workplace environment and incorporate their specific hazards and risks into the curriculum.

Our Facility...In 2001 IEE moved from its original location in Woburn, Mass into our current facility in Wilmington, MA where we offer public initial and refresher Asbestos, Lead, OSHA and Hazwoper classes. IEE&s goal from the outset has been to equip companies, employees, and individuals with the tools, products and knowledge to protect themselves, others in the workplace and in the environment.

IEE offers a wide selection of training courses and educational programs to help broaden worker and employer knowledge on the recognition, avoidance, and prevention of safety and health hazards in their workplaces. This training also helps employers comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Act. 29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H; Hazardous Materials requires training for employees who perform hazardous waste operations described below.

Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response [1910.120(e)(1)(i) and (ii); (2)(i) through (vii); (3)(i) through (iv) and (4) through (9)]

All employees working on site (such as but not limited to equipment operators, general laborers and others) exposed to hazardous substances, health hazards, or safety hazards and their supervisors and management responsible for the site shall receive training meeting OSHA requirements before they are permitted to engage in hazardous waste operations that could expose them to hazardous substances, safety, or health hazards, and they shall also receive review/refresher training.

General site workers (such as equipment operators, general laborers and supervisory personnel) engaged in hazardous substance removal or other activities which expose or potentially expose workers to hazardous substances and health hazards shall receive a minimum of 40 hours of instruction off the site, and a minimum of three days actual field experience under the direct supervision of a trained, experienced supervisor.

Workers on site only occasionally for a specific limited task (such as, but not limited to, ground water monitoring, land surveying, or geophysical surveying) and who are unlikely to be exposed over permissible exposure limits and published exposure limits shall receive a minimum of 24 hours of instruction off the site, and the minimum of one day actual field experience under the direct supervision of a trained, experienced supervisor.

Workers regularly on site who work in areas which have been monitored and fully characterized indicating that exposures are under permissible exposure limits and published exposure limits where respirators are not necessary, and the characterization indicates that there are no health hazards or the possibility of an emergency developing, shall receive a minimum of 24 hours of instruction off the site and the minimum of one day actual field experience under the direct supervision of a trained, experienced supervisor.

Management and supervisor training. Onsite management and supervisors directly responsible for, or who supervise employees engaged in, hazardous waste operations shall receive 40 hours initial training, and three days of supervised field experience and at least eight additional hours of specialized training at the time of job assignment on such topics as, but not limited to, the employer's safety and health program and the associated employee training program, personal protective equipment program, spill containment program, and health hazard monitoring procedure and techniques. [The above training may be reduced to 24 hours and one day if the only area of their responsibility is employees covered by paragraphs (e)(3)(ii) and (e)(3)(iii)]

Emergency response. Employees who are engaged in responding to hazardous emergency situations at hazardous waste cleanup sites that may expose them to hazardous substances shall be trained in how to respond to such expected emergencies.

New employees. The employer shall develop and implement a training program, which is part of the employer's safety and health program, for employees exposed to health hazards or hazardous substances at TSD operations to enable the employees to perform their assigned duties and functions in a safe and healthful manner so as not to endanger themselves or other employees. The initial training shall be for 24 hours and refresher training shall be for eight hours annually. Employees who have received the initial training required by this paragraph shall be given a written certificate attesting that they have successfully completed the necessary training. 1910.120(p)(7)(i)

Skilled support personnel. Personnel, not necessarily an employer's own employees, who are skilled in the operation of certain equipment, such as mechanized earth moving or digging equipment or crane and hoisting equipment, and who are needed temporarily to perform immediate emergency support work that cannot reasonably be performed in a timely fashion by an employer's own employees, and who will be or may be exposed to the hazards at an emergency response scene, are not required to meet the training required in this paragraph for the employer's regular employees. However, these personnel shall be given an initial briefing at the site prior to their participation in any emergency response. The initial briefing shall include instruction in the wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment, what chemical hazards are involved, and what duties are to be performed. All other appropriate safety and health precautions provided to the employer's own employees shall be used to assure the safety and health of these personnel. 1910.120(q)(4)

Specialist employees. Employees who, in the course of their regular job duties, work with and are trained in the hazards of specific hazardous substances, and who will be called upon to provide technical advice or assistance at a hazardous substance release incident to the individual in charge, shall receive training or demonstrate competency in the area of their specialization annually. 1910.120(q)(5)

Training for emergency response employees shall be completed before they are called upon to perform in real emergencies. Such training shall include the elements of the emergency response plan, standard operating procedures the employer has established for the job, the personal protective equipment to be worn and procedures for handling emergency incidents.
Employee members of TSD facility emergency response organizations shall be trained to a level of competence in the recognition of health and safety hazards to protect themselves and other employees. This would include training in the methods used to minimize the risk from safety and health hazards; in the safe use of control equipment; in the selection and use of appropriate personal protective equipment; in the safe operating procedures to be used at the incident scene; in the techniques of coordination with other employees to minimize risks; in the appropriate response to overexposure from health hazards or injury to themselves and other employees; and in the recognition of subsequent symptoms which may result from overexposures. [1910.120(p)(8)(iii)]

Training shall be based on the duties and function to be performed by each responder of an emergency response organization. The skill and knowledge levels required for all new responders, those hired after the effective date of this standard, shall be conveyed to them through training before they are permitted to take part in actual emergency operations on an incident. Employees who participate, or are expected to participate in emergency response, shall be given training in accordance with the following paragraphs 1910.120(q)(6):

(i) First responder awareness level. First responders at the awareness level are individuals who are likely to witness or discover a hazardous substance release and who have been trained to initiate an emergency response sequence by notifying the proper authorities of the release.

(ii) First responder operations level. First responders at the operations level are individuals who respond to releases or potential releases of hazardous substances as part of the initial response to the site for the purpose of protecting nearby persons, property, or the environment from the effects of the release. They are trained to respond in a defensive fashion without actually trying to stop the release. Their function is to contain the release from a safe distance, keep it from spreading, and prevent exposures.

(iii) Hazardous materials technician. Hazardous materials technicians are individuals who respond to releases or potential releases for the purpose of stopping the release. They assume a more aggressive role than a first responder at the operations level in that they will approach the point of release in order to plug, patch or otherwise stop the release of a hazardous substance.

(iv) Hazardous materials specialist. Hazardous materials specialists are individuals who respond with and provide support to hazardous materials technicians. Their duties parallel those of the hazardous materials technician, however, those duties require a more directed or specific knowledge of the various substances they may be called upon to contain. The hazardous materials specialist would also act as the site liaison with Federal, state, local and other government authorities in regards to site activities.

(v) On scene incident commander. Incident commanders are those who will assume control of the incident scene beyond the first responder awareness level.